The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-17


are redeemed by the government, be
saved till it amounts to one hundred
thousand dollars, and then I direct
that with this sum a hospital be built
for the benefit of sll persons, natives
OF this state, who may be afflicted with
rheumatism. After the hospital shall
be built, direct that the interest be
appropriated to the support of as many
invaiids as it will decently maintain"
''Suppose Belle or Mary, or both
should marry: ?"
81 do not PROPOSE" said the Major,
'sto provide for future generations, be-
cause they may happen to be related TO
me only by the ties that connect me
with Adam. 1t would only make
them curse me for not leaving more.
No, sir; when they have enjoyed the
property during their lives, it is as
much as I care to do for my relatives.
I don't know that they will thank
me-"
"You think they are destitute of
sratitude?"
"My opinion is, that, if they knew 1
had made this will, they would weep
ingiy rejoice to see me "shufiie Off this
mortal COIL" But, no matter, human
nature is what it is, and cannot change
it. One thing more, and the document
will be complete. l 1appoint the Board
of Mayor and Aldermen Of this city to
execute that provision of my will
which relates to the institution, to be
called Bradleigh Hospital. For their
services they are to be paid fifty dollars
each annually on the last day of the
iS al
get two witnesses and T will sign it in
their presence. bind you, and the
witnesses not 10 say one word about
this business till l depart from the
shores of time. On the third day after
my decease l want you to assemble my
kinswomen in this room, and read the
will to them. They have shown me
some little kindness, and I suppose l
ought to repay them handsomely for it.
Yet, / guess they are like all other
women. But, to tell the truth, l am
not intimately acquainted with them.
However, they are related to me by the
ties of consanguinity, and 1 must re.
member them in u substantial way.
But do not want them to know the
nature of my will till the time I have
mentioned, lest they should be pro-
voked at me for lingering too long on
the arena Of human life.''
"Iou seem to have poor opinion of
your relatives" said Mr.. Merton with
smile.
"WelI, never mind. Go, and get the
witnesses.'
Mr.. Merton accordingly left. And
now let us turn our attention to the
beneticieries Of Uncle Joe's will.
Major Bradleigh had only one
brother, who married in his youth.
This brother was the father Of several
children all of whom died, except a
daughter called Belle. He died before
Belle was ten years of age, and left
nothing to support his family. Mrs.
Bradleigh was one of those unfortunate
women who know nothing about doc
mestic economy, though she regarded
herself as a model in this respect. Be-
ing a person Of little spirit, she boldly
appealed to the generosity of her hus-
bands wealthy brother. She thought
she had right to do so according to
the provisions of Samuel Bradleiph'S
Will. For that kind and innocent soul.
having nothing in the shape of mate
rial wealth to make the subject of a
last testament, affectionately bequeath.
ed the support OF his wife, daughter,
anu distant relative of his wife, whom
we will notice presently, to his good
brother, Joseph. These two brothers
had been to each other like Damon and
Plthias all their lives. Uncle Joe had
endeavored to aid his brother in the
struggle for existence, but the wife
managed to keep her husband in debt.
When Samuel departed this life, Uncle
Joe found himself the reluctant head of
family-and family that looked to
him for everything. For the widow
maze no effort to support herself, but
with the confidence of little child.
depended upon her brother-in-Iaw for
food and raiment. The thought seemed
never TO occur to her that she was un-
der some obligation 10 labor in order
to prolong her existence. Uncle Joe
was not ovcr-joyed at the provisions of
his brothers will, but what could he
do: There were two helpless children
ana a woman who appeared no more
capable Of taking care of herself than a
babe. The oversight and support Of a
iamly was very distasteful to Mai.
Bradleigh, considering that he was a
bachelor, n man who loved economy.
and who was an invalid. But he ac.
cePted the situation with the best grace
he could, and for his brothers. sake
shouidered the heavy burden, though
he had no particular affection for any
member OF the family. None ofthem,
except Mary LIgwood, had any traits